Gig Economy Dependency Score

What it is for

The gig economy dependency score shows how exposed your income is to the swings of app-based or on-demand work. It looks at the share of your income from these jobs, how many platforms you use and how much savings you hold. It suits drivers, couriers and freelancers who want to gauge their vulnerability.

How it works

You enter the percentage of income from gig work, the number of platforms you use and your emergency fund in months of expenses. The tool adds three parts: 0.6 times the gig income share; two times platform concentration, which is 10 minus 2 per platform; and two times buffer risk, which is 10 minus 2 per month saved. The total runs from 0 to 100: below 34 is low, up to 66 is medium, and above that is high.

Worked example

Someone earns 70% of income from gig work, uses 2 platforms and has 1 month of savings. The income part is 42. Concentration is 10 minus 4, which is 6, and times 2 gives 12. Buffer risk is 10 minus 2, which is 8, and times 2 gives 16. The score is 70, in the high band.

Limits and caveats

This is a simplified self-assessment for reflection, not financial advice. It does not consider your total income, debts, dependents or how stable each platform is. The weights are fixed and the risk bands are conventions of the tool.

Frequently asked questions

What does gig economy dependency mean?

It is how much your income relies on on-demand work, such as apps and freelance jobs, which can change rules or dry up without warning. The higher the dependence and the lower the savings, the greater the exposure.

Does using more platforms lower the risk?

In this formula, yes: each extra platform lowers concentration and therefore the score, until you reach five platforms and that part hits zero. In practice, the benefit depends on the platforms actually producing income.

How many months of savings help lower the score?

Each month of expenses saved cuts the buffer risk by 2 points, up to 5 months, when that part reaches zero. How much to actually keep depends on your situation, so talk it over with a professional.